Welcome to the 2015 CAR Conference!

The 2015 CAR Conference begins this week. Below are a few bits of information to help you prepare for this great conference!

For the latest up-to-date information about panels, speakers and special events at the conference, please visit our conference website.

Hotel Information

The conference is taking place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, GA, 30303. 

There are several options for getting from the airport to the Marriott. For those interested, the MARTA runs from the airport to the hotel. For details, go here.   We also have discounted airport transportation through Super Shuttle. Details on that can be found on the conference travel/lodging page. 

Registration

Registration opens Wednesday at 1 p.m. and will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the International level of the hotel.

Weather

It looks like the weather is going to be a in the mid 50’s during the conference with some rain. See the 5-day forecast thanks to weatherchannel.com. 

Wireless Internet during the conference

Stop by the registration desk to receive the access code for the wireless Internet being offered throughout the meeting space during the CAR conference.  In addition, attendees staying at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in the group block will receive complimentary wireless Internet in their guest room. 

Have a question or need help in a session

Room monitors will be stationed in the hallways during sessions and will be happy to answer your questions.  Additionally, if you need something, email IREhelp@ire.org and IRE staff will respond as quickly as possible.

Hands-on room classes

We have a big crowd this year, and it's exciting to have so many new faces. We've added a number of hands-on sessions, but seating is limited. So if there's a hands-on class you really want to take, plan on getting there early.

CAR Conference App

Don’t forget to download the conference app before you leave for the conference. Have the latest schedule at your fingertips throughout the conference, check speaker bios, plan your own schedule, and keep up-to-date with any panel changes that happen.  New this year, you can opt-in to network with other attendees and complete session/panel evaluations directly from the app.  Please be sure to complete evaluations as these help us plan next year’s conference. 

Internet is not required for the app to work once it’s downloaded, however, it is necessary to receive any updates that are sent out.  Complimentary Internet will be available in the meeting space throughout the conference. The app is available for iOS, Android, Blackberry and web-enabled devices. Download today! 

Conference Addendums 

Be sure to check the conference app (daily updates icon) or your email each day, where you will receive the conference addendum with any last minute changes. Paper copies will also be available at the registration desk each morning.

Twitter/Student Blog

Use #NICAR15 during the conference and stop by the registration desk to see live tweets on the announcement monitor along with conference blogs. We’ve got a full team of bloggers and you can see their work online and in the conference app. Go here for an entire list of conference blog posts.

Membership Meeting

Please take a look at the blog that explains some changes we’re asking members to vote on at this year’s membership meeting, which will be held along with Lightning Talks and the Philip Meyer Awards on Friday afternoon. The meeting will only take a few minutes and we really need your help in considering these changes to IRE’s Articles of Incorporation. One big change would give student members voting rights.

We thank you for your continued support and are looking forward to seeing you in Atlanta!